The River

Catch Variety by Trolling

2009-05-20T05:36:00.001-07:00

Consistently catching a wide variety of game fish in diverse conditions is the reward for the anglers who employ trolling as one of their primary fishing techniques on big rivers (like the Delaware River) and our big lakes (like lake Wallenpaupack). Trolling will almost always out fish anglers using other fishing methods for one simple reason: An entire section of water can quickly and efficiently be prospected by trolling. The best concentrations of fish can be located with minimum effort. Then these smaller area “hot spot” sections of water can be efficiently be covered by the other methods such as fly/spin-casting and still fishing without spending as much time and energy.

Trolling is a technique that is very popular not just because it can be effectively employed by anglers of any degree of expertise. But mainly because it is easy, fun and it works. It is a great way to introduce a youngster, girlfriend or wife to fishing because the line tangles and snags are few and far between that eliminates what I call the frustration factor. At the same time there is usually something going on for everyone to participate in that will help build overall fishing knowledge and skills.

Trolling is definitly not just for newcomer to the sport. It is a fishing technique employed mostly by advanced anglers because of its proven success. Work this deadly technique at the right time and right location with the right lure riggings and you will have a fish catching combination that’s unbeatable. It is very addicting once you see your rod(s) barrel over with what I like to call a “slam-jam-shazz-aam of a hit”. After more than 30 years of trolling, it still never gets old for me, that’s for sure. I have never met an angler yet who did not find it very exciting when one or more trolling rods barrel over with heavy hook-ups! Getting doubles (multiple fish-on at the same time) is not an uncommon result of an effectively executed troll.

Trolling requires a boat, method of propulsion (motor or oars), rod and reel (preferably several) and lures. Rod holders are also recommended or you just may have a fish take your equipment overboard. You can troll with just about any lure and even some natural baits like minnows, eels and night crawlers. Some of the most effective lures are lightweight spoons, jigs, spinners, crank baits, stick baits, other lipped baits and rattle traps. The troll is let out behind the moving boat until you have enough line out to keep it away from the back of the boat. The line distance will vary depending upon the size/weight of the lure you select and how deep you wish it to run. The forward speed of your boat will dictate just how fast or slow the trailing lure will move and also how deep it will run.

Here are a few tricks you can use to make trolling more productive and fun:

Troll as slow as possible. Big fish will not expend any more energy than they have to. Additionally, most lures will not perform correctly under fast speeds. Other lures like spinners, spoons and jigs will plane upward in the water column faster than at slow speeds. The best advice is to troll slower against the current and a bit faster when trolling with the current.

Vary Trolling Speeds at least every few minutes. While slow is the general rule it does not mean slow all the time. A lure running through the water at a consistent speed, at a constant depth and giving off the same vibration pattern will not catch as many fish. By changing the lures speed and vibration pattern every few minutes will definitly trigger far more strikes.

Be sure to troll in wide zigzags and S curves. Consistent trolling results require that you do everything possible to keep from running a straight trolling line. Every time the lure is on the inside and/or outside turn it will impart a different action and speed to the trailing lure that will definitly trigger more strikes.

The Other Pocono Fish Guy

2009-05-20T05:35:00.000-07:00

For all of you who have kept up with reading the bi-monthly Pocono Fish Guy column this may come as a shock, Will is not the only certified fishing guide we have at the Shawnee Inn. He is by all means the head guide and, in his own mind, the most knowledgeable of the staff; however we have quite a few people who can provide a high quality fishing experience on the Delaware River. I am not going to delude myself or you all into believing that I could ever out guide Will, I do however remember a couple Shad trips where my guys were hauling fish after fish in the boat and his patrons were coming up empty…but as they say even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then. All kidding aside, Will has taught me much about fishing on the Big D. He is one of the rare individuals who has dedicated his life to fishing in a way I could only dream of, and by far has logged more hours on the “Big D” than anyone I know. The reality of the situation is that we wanted to do an opening day of trout season article, and he was too busy on Shad trips to get out for trout. I on the other hand was not.

I have to say that this was by far my best opening day in recent memory. This was not just due to the numbers of fish I encountered, but also the quality of the fish and the beautiful weather we had. I fished the Bushkill Creek, in a fairly popular spot, and had my limit of trout by 9:15am. I kept the first five trout I caught for two reasons, one I will get into later in this column, the other is that my wife is pregnant and due any day so I was trying to be a good husband and limit my time away from her. I ended up with two Brookies, both a solid 12 inches, and three Rainbows. One was a good 14 inches the other two were solid 12-13 inchers. Reading Will’s columns they tend to fall into two categories, observations and musings about fishing, or tips and advice; most of his columns actually contain both. Following his lead I am going to offer you the same.

Disturbing Opening Day Trends

1) Where are the kids?
Unlike the “real” Pocono Fish Guy I do not have the luxury of guiding full time. I actually teach High School science and my title at the Shawnee Inn is Manager on Duty, guiding fishing trips is an enjoyable extra to the job. That being said, as a teacher, it is very disturbing to me not to see young kids out enjoying opening day. I literally saw one kid fishing all day, that’s deplorable. I remember when I was a kid opening day of trout season was a major holiday for me. Opening day of buck season, opening day of trout season, and opening day of spring gobbler were the three days I waited for all year. I used to sleep till 10am on Christmas morning, who wants to get up for coal anyway, opening day of trout season though I was awake pacing the house at 2am. Fishing truly is a healthy, life long, activity. The best part is that it is something you can continuously improve at. That was a very important revelation for me especially since I just came to the realization this past winter that, after wrestling my whole life and coaching the sport the past seven years, I may be on the downward side of my career. The fact that the only reason my shoulders move anymore is the massive amount of glucosamine I ingest has kind of been an eye opener. Knowing that I can continue to improve my fishing skills offers me a great deal of comfort in dealing with the decline of my wrestling abilities.

2) Where are the people?
It seems every year there are less and less people showing up to fish on opening day. As a kid I used to be on the water at 5am just to get a good spot. Last Saturday people were showing up at 7:30am and there was plenty of room for them. I got there at 6:15am just out of habit and there were only a couple of other people around. The economy is horrible, people can’t afford to golf anymore…why aren’t they fishing?

3) Where are the locals?
I spent Saturday fishing next to a group of five people from Staten Island to my left, and a group of six people from Easton to my right. I am also fairly certain that the guy across the creek with the surf rod, 3oz sinker, and size 10/0 shark hook slinging cut bait wasn’t a local either. I can honestly say, with the exception of the guy with the surf rod, all the folks around me were very competent fisherman and fisherwomen. There was one women with the Staten Island group. Since she was the only women I saw all day I will add this as another disturbing trend. I have a feeling if more women were involved in the sport we would have more kids. Bottom line is I know many of the local folks who fish this section of stream, I didn’t see very many of them out on Saturday.

4) Why are you throwing back trout?
As I said earlier I kept the first five trout I caught. I know it is not fun to limit out by 9am if you plan on spending the majority of the day fishing, but I see too many people with four fish on their stringers releasing fish that aren’t going to make it, just so they can keep fishing. I must say though that I was very proud of the gentleman from Staten Island fishing next to me, his fifth fish swallowed the hook he put it on the stringer, sat down, took out a sandwich, and conceded that he was done for the day. The bottom line is trout that are released, even if hooked in the mouth and handled minimally, probably won’t make it. If you want to fish all day release fish from the beginning that are hooked well and keep the ones that are not, don’t keep the first four and throw back all the rest.

Tips for Opening Day

1) Bring a kid, or your wife, or girl friend.
2) Have a sense of humor, yes the guy with the surf rod will throw over your line on every other cast just laugh it off and keep fishing.
3) If you are the guy with the surf rod, or just inexperienced, stay out of the elbow to elbow holes, there are plenty of fish, don’t add stress to yourself and others around you.
4) Bring a variety of bait, I caught all my fish on salmon eggs, if I had brought my worms and not left them sitting in my fridge I would have limited out earlier.
5) Get on the water early, I heard one of the guys from Easton coin the phrase sliders, those people who show up at 7:55am and try to slide in, other people don’t like that, don’t be a slider.

Parting Advice

* Saturday April 25th was the first day of gobbler season. Hunt till noon, then fish till dark, there is no better time of the year for sportsman (it is also my birthday and I can’t think of a better present!)

Till next time

The “other” Pocono Fish Guy
Josh Fuller

Call for the American Shad Angler

2009-05-20T05:33:00.000-07:00

Welcome to a new spring of fishing on our Pocono Mountain waters. Wow, what a great angling start we have had already! First, we kicked things off the with “more than” plenty of safe ice on even the biggest of lakes that were yielding anglers nice catches of bass, trout and pan fish right up through early March. We then had a good mid-March thaw that allowed anglers to connect on the early season of open water with decent catches. A short window of time that many anglers have termed “fishing during Ice-out” is considered to be a very good fishing time when ponds & lakes go thru a brief “turn over” period that jumpstarts many fish species into actively feeding. Now here we are …on the eve of another “Regular” Opening Day for trout fishing statewide.

At 8:00 am on April 18th, let the “games” officially begin on our heavily pre-stocked Pocono Mountain waters. It is also at this same time that another very special annual fishing event unfolds. That is…the yearly spring migration of the American Shad up the mighty Delaware River. These silver anadromous beauties are already making their way through our section of the “Big D, as they normally do at about this time every year.

Where else can obsessive anglers like myself bag plenty of nice trout in the morning and then fight big shad on the fly by evening? Or of course, do the reverse… by catching the morning shad bite then heading out to one of my favorite trout holes later in the day. Either way, I do not know many places outside of the Pocono Region and our Tri-state area that can offer anglers (in April and May) such an awesome “all you can catch (and release) buffet …that’s for sure!

This is just one of many “angling fringe benefits” we receive bordering one of the last big eastern rivers that still flow’s unencumbered by any full-length dams from its headwaters to the Atlantic Ocean. Most of our “trout filled” cold mountain creeks of our region also feed into this big and scenic river that anglers come to know as “The Big D”. These feeder tributaries can really help sustain cooler water temperatures longer on our section of the Delaware River (along with reservoir-portal releases of cold water) with the enviable warm up that will come by early summer. The cooler waters aids to prolonging the window of opportunity anglers have to take full advantage of this “dynamic Pocono fishing duo” of shad and trout.

For the anadromous American shad, cold water temperatures (50-60 degrees) are one of the most important variables (along with the role water levels/flows, dissolved oxygen levels and favorable river bottom areas) that dictates when and where the shad will spawn. Once the fish spawn, its game over for the shad angler and time to change fishing pursuits towards other game fish. Generally there is good shad fishing available for anglers in our region of the Delaware River for about 7 weeks (Mid April until the end of May).

For most shad anglers like myself, they are not greatly prized for their table fare like trout. That is another good reason to carefully employ “catch and release” tactics. Anglers greatly value Shad for just how vicious they can strike a fly or lure and giver you a true battle royal. I think of them (in the pre-spawn stage) as muscle, fins and attitude! This is because they hit with shear aggressive annoyance and once hooked, they use their very streamline bodies to their every advantage.

A good general rule of thumb during the early stages of the run is “the bigger the shad (like the big row (egg bearing females)…. the harder the hit!” I have participated firsthand in hits that were so hard that the rod was just about ripped out of my hands! Then the epic battle begins! These fish know just how to use every bit of the river’s powerful current against you. It is not uncommon to have an average sized shad strip the main line off a 6wt fly reel right down to your backing. It takes a mighty big trout to do that!

I believe that “ounce for ounce” shad are one of the hardest hitting and most powerful fighting sport fish that we have here in the Pocono Mountains. This is why the American shad fishing season is an annually celebrated event that compliment our popular spring trout season and strong fishing tradition.

In more recent years, the numbers of shad making their way up the river to spawn has greatly decreased since I was a young boy. But I can also tell you first hand that there is still plenty of these great fish to make any angler’s arm sore regardless of what anyone else may say!

Snow, Snow Everywhere

2008-12-22T13:38:00.000-08:00

After this last weekend, the northeast was given some of that great White Gold, the great natural snow! Over the last couple of days we have received 8 inches of fresh fluffy snow, which makes the skiing here near perfect. The fresh snow added to the already nicely packed man made snow on the slopes makes for a great reason to join us here at the Shawnee Inn, located only 5 minutes from the Shawnee Mountain Ski Resort. Make sure that you get on the phone or on the computer to book your room here with us, so that you too can enjoy the new snow on the slopes.

The White Gold that has been provided for us from the heavens not only makes the skiing great, but adds to the wonderland of beauty here at the Inn itself. The freshly fallen snow on the front lawn here at the Inn lays untouched adding to the perfect serenity of the beautiful Inn. Again I can tell you how perfect it looks, how breathe taking it is, and how it seems to be only in our thoughts and dreams that we could come up with such splendor, but I am only telling you! The best advice I can give would be…

Get here and see it for yourself.
Have a great winter and Holiday season,
And we hope to see you here very soon.

Winter Recreation

2008-12-18T06:15:00.000-08:00

The Shawnee Inn and golf resort is known for it great recreation in the warm spring months and hot summer months, but do not count us out in the chilly winter months. Location, location, location. When you come and stay at the Shawnee Inn, you are just 5 minutes from on of the areas best ski resorts, and we pride ourselves on this great feature for the winter months. The ability to ski at Shawnee Mountain and stay at the Inn has more benefits then one might think. For example, the hiking trails have just as much beauty and picture perfect views in the winter as they do in the summer. Much of the wild life here does not take a break when the chilly temperatures come to town, as a matter of fact, some wildlife are more active in the winter. The fishing and river trips are not available to you in the winter, but the river still has its greatness when the snow flies. Let me paint this picture for you: Fresh white snow on the front lawn, an almost still Delaware River flowing past the front of the Inn, the trees, yes lacking leaves, but wearing a perfect white blank of snow, and a small family of deer on a near island coming to the waters edge for a refreshing midday drink of water.

Now a picture perfect winter wonderland right outside your warm hotel suite, and until you come to take it all in yourself that is all that it can be is a picture in your mind. Come on out to the Shawnee Inn and enjoy the winter wonderland yourself!!

Fall Foliage

2008-10-16T11:40:00.000-07:00

It’s back! The time of year when the mountains fill with orange, red, yellow and brown, the time when pictures do not do the scene any justice. You got it folks, the weather is getting cooler and the leaves are changing colors. Right here in the Pocono Mountains, some of the best autumn views in the great state of Pennsylvania are now and you are slowly letting these great views slip away. Get out of the house and get to the mountains!!! Get on the hiking and biking trails, or get on the river while you still have the time. Before you know it, the snow will be flying and the weather will be colder than you can imagine, so get outside and see the oranges and reds before they are gone for another year.

In a closing note, the BEST place to see all this beauty is on the Delaware River. Get there with us at Shawnee. It’s all here!

Cool Nights and Hot Days

2008-09-08T13:01:00.000-07:00

September is the month that gives us great cool nights to sleep, and hot beautiful days for recreation, lets remember that even though the days might be shorter and the nights cooler, its still perfect canoeing weather.

A typical daily temperature on the river in mid-September is an average of 70 degrees. It is still a little too cool to head onto the river at 9 am because the sun has not been out long enough to clear the clouds from in the valley. Your best shot at getting the day perfect would be to take the 10 am trip and spend the late morning and early afternoon on the river. In late September you’ll have to hold off to get onto the river until noon. Might I add that the water is still on the warmer side even though the air temp gets lower at night, maybe not swimming weather, but not a major threat if you were to fall or jump in.

Also, on the closing note, keep in mind that the weather getting cooler means that trees will be more colorful at the end of this month. Keep checking back, and we will see if I can get you a closer date of the best time to see the colors on the river.

Picture Perfect Recreation

2008-08-27T09:27:00.000-07:00

August…the hottest month?! This august we are experiencing hot and humid days, but the nights are more like September with cool air and temps falling down to the 50’s. The hot days make for a great time to be on the river close to the refreshing waters of the Delaware, but one might wonder what the cooler nights might do with the water temps for early morning.

This strange August weather we are seeing creates a great atmosphere for river goers in the morning (9 am or 10 am). What is this you might wonder…the cooler air and warmer waters create a breathe taking scene, with a fog slowly burning off as the sun comes up, words do nothing but add to the need to see such a picture. “It creates a feeling of secluded perfectness,” stated a first time river tripper, now turned into a river advocate. “I feel so sad for the people that have not seen this…this…this thing of perfection!”

So take advantage of Mother Nature at it finest before the weather pattern changes, and you have yet again missed out on one of the best reason to be on the river.

Fly Fishing Late Summer

2008-08-20T12:40:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for some very challenging late-summer small mouth fly-fishing, then the riffles of the Delaware River are for you. Some anglers actually prefer more strenuous angling challenges during this very temporal time of year.

Whether you wade wet (which I greatly prefer to do right thru early September) or choose chest waders, you can get within fly-casting distance of many excellent pockets, eddies, and structures that have the potential to hold big scrappy Delaware bronzebacks.

Mobility in and out of the water is important because many great spots require hiking or paddling to get into. I suggest traveling very light, choosing the simplest tackle and wearing the right clothes for the job. Generally a 6wt fly rod is best with floating (weight forward or shooting taper) fly line. I carry a good handful of my big go-to flys, tippet material, and hemostats for difficult hook removals.

Finding the right net and carry system is important. You want something lightweight and formidable in size (for the ever possible surprise of hooking a monster smallmouth, striper, trout or fallfish), because anything cumbersome while wading in current is dangerous. A fishing vest may be great on the trail but accept that everything will get wet and heavy when you start testing your wading limits.

Many anglers access the Delaware River National Park waters by raft, canoe and/or kayak. The national park launches are open for anglers to access with their own boats. You can also rent one at the local canoe liveries. Smart anglers wear their PFD when wading on the Big D even this time of year. It is very easy to underestimate the power of the water on such a big river especially during this mild season. Having the right river shoes (like felt-bottom wading shoes or river sandals with toe protection) that assure traction, and lightweight water cloths are also very important.

One of the greatest rewards for your efforts can be the gentle flow of river water upon your legs, which is very refreshing just about anytime of day right now. Another real pleasure is the open expanse for an angler to challenge his or her fly-casting skills and presentation. It can take more than many presentations to get a neutral fish to strike. Reading current /water, water levels and learning to stay in tune with the best seasonal fishing times of day and locations can help in finding active feeding fish.

One of the greatest challenges for fly anglers on the Delaware River in late summer is getting big fish interested in taking small flies. Most big bass this time of year have such a wide variety of large forage to choose from that it can prove quite difficult to get a good bass willing to make the effort towards something as small as most traditional flies. Just the average size common terrestrial insects, stoneflies, stonefly nymphs, hellgrammites on the Big D. speak volumes.

One of the old Delaware fishing clichés that I believe holds today as a great fishing rule of thumb especially for the trophy seeking fly anglers of the big D, and it was passed down by some of the great grandfathers of fly-fishing on the Delaware River, (Art Flick, Vince Cummings and Lee Wolfe) goes like this…. “FISH BIG OR GO HOME!”

Three, Six, or Nine?

2008-08-12T13:45:00.000-07:00

The three, six, or nine-mile river trip…what do they offer and how do I pick? Well, the nine miles of river that we travel does not change very much from start to finish, but there are some differences that boaters need to keep in mind. First, being the length of time that the boater has for his or her trip. The first three miles offer some of the best views of all of the Delaware River, because they are so peaceful and full of wildlife, no place can come close to this front row seat. It also offers the boater a chance to get onto the river and not make it a day trip, taking only about an hour and a half paddle time to get through the three miles.

The next three miles (totaling six) takes the boater through some quicker water, no rapids yet, but fun to boat and navigate through. The next three miles takes you to the beach at Kittatinny, setting you up for some great photo opportunities. Catching the cliffs and peaks where the Appalachian Trail runs through the Delaware National Recreation Area, you would be hard pressed to find views like these in the streets of a town! With your trip totaling six miles, your time comes out to be just about three hours of paddling.

Adventurous river goers will love tacking on the last three miles to their trip rounding their day out to nine miles and just less than five hours on the river, equaling is a day well spent. From the beach at the Water Gap to the Foot Bridge at Portland, many have found themselves smiling after coming through the small rapids. These are no Colorado River rapids, but they will give the boater some exercise bounding from side to side, sweeping through this stretch! Something that cannot be put into words very easily, my advice, get on the river and enjoy.

In closing, the question I leave you with is…three, six or nine?

My answer…there is plenty of time left this season to get out and do all three! So get the family and friends together and get to the river!!

Jerk Baiting the Big D

2008-08-07T14:07:00.000-07:00

Tip of the Week
From PA Certified Fishing Guide
Will Stryeski, fish@shawneeinn.com

By adding weight you can alter how fast jerk bait floats up between jerks, causing it to look more vulnerable to both aggressive and non-aggressive bass. You can even make it neutrally buoyant, allowing it to stay deeper during the retrieve. Neutrally buoyant bait also has a slower action, which generates more strikes from less active bass.

Jerk Baiting the Big D

Many Delaware River Anglers are familiar with muskie jerk baits. These baits are 7-11 inch slabs of balsam wood or modern plastic with hi-tech balance, level-suspension and better action – which make for a farther cast.

In either case, the jerk bait gets its erratic action from a snap of the angler’s wrist, which distinctively slingshots the lure forward in a jerking motion, and can be manipulated into a repertoire of strike-triggering presentations by a seasoned angler - hence the name jerk-bait.

Jerk baits for bass are similar in action and effectiveness but smaller.
Many slender float-diving or shallow-running two to six inch minnow-shaped plugs, in combination with float-suspending or sinking properties, can be used as jerk baits for bass even though their standard use is with conventional retrieves.

When conditions are right, jerk bait can be the most effective lure a Delaware River angler can cast. They allow you to cover water efficiently and help to locate active fish. When fishing jerk baits, I am always moving and casting to shoreline cover or structure. I do not, however, use jerk baits when I locate a concentration of bass, because more subtle presentations, such as synthetic eel patterns, can pay off for less active fish.

There are two types of bass jerk baits. The difference is in their action. One has a tight wobble while the other has a wide wobble. Unless outlined in the packaging, the only way to determine if it is a tight or wide wobble is to actually watch it in the water at varying speeds. Depending on the fish’s mood, a change from one style to another often results in more strikes.

Tight wobble jerk bait works well when bass want subtle action. When jerked, the action is smooth with short glides. A tight wobble can be worked with greater speed when you are really covering water quickly and giving the bait hard jerks.

Wide wobble plugs are great when bass want a lot of action. When jerked these baits move erratically with a very distinctive side-to-side wobble. They are excellent during the summer when the pace of the entire ecosystem is in overdrive. Jerked, these baits move more erratic with the possibility of triggering hard strikes from every predatory fish that lurks in the Big D.

August is Hot! Get in the River.

2008-07-29T07:17:00.000-07:00

Being the last week in July, many are now looking toward the summer almost being over. School starting back, the days getting shorter, and the temperature dropping. As these things set in, many people feel the rush to get out of the house and get in a few last minute summer memories, one of which being a canoe trip down the Delaware River. August has been one of the hottest months of the year for the past decade, and this August does not seem to be looking any different than the last, which is great news for river lovers.

With the weather hot and river refreshing, the place to be in August is on the river, and when your there, keep safety in mind. The river is very unpredictable, under toes and whirlpools are commonplace in a river, and the Delaware is no different. Always wear a life jacket, or keep one within arm’s reach, if you are under the age of 18, you should be wearing it at all times. If you get into the river, as an accident or on purpose, remember where the boat is! Always keep the boat in front of you! Keeping safe on the river means that you will be coming off the river with some great memories. Enjoy a great August and happy boating!

Dry Flies (7-11-08)

2008-07-21T11:32:00.000-07:00

Fishing Tip
Provided By
PA Certified Fishing Guide
Will Stryeski, fish@shawneeinn.com

Here are my top dry-flies that I believe work about 90 percent of the time during the dry-fly season.

Adams - Brown, White, Brown - ADAMS (#14, #16, #18) Coachman’s - Green, Yellow, Brown - ROYAL COACHMAN (#14, #16, #18)
Cahill, Light - Dark, Black – LIGHT CAHILL (#14, #16, #18)
Hendrickson - Light, Dark, Red – LIGHT HENDRICKSON (#12, #14,#16)
Red Quill’s - Gray, Black, Brown –QUILL GORDON (#14, #16, #18)
Winged Duns - Grey, Blue, Black – BLUE WINGED OLIVE DUN (#14, #16, #18)
Stone Flies - Brown and Black – BROWN STONE-FLY (#10, #12, #14)

Cast Away!

Natural Surfaces and Dry-Flies

With our Pocono creeks and rivers running low and clear this month, it is an excellent time for fly anglers to focus on dry-flies which imitate natural insects floating on the surface. Imitation is emphasized because it is more important than the fly pattern you choose.

A fish is exquisitely sensitive to the motion of the water. It “works” his water every second of his life. The current brings him food, provides him with a place to reside and determines where it will be at any given moment. It is the single most important element in his life and it makes no mistakes about.

If your fly is moving even fractionally differently from the prevailing current, the fish will have nothing to do with it. It is obviously something foreign, no matter how much it may physically look like something it knows.

The presentation of the fly is at least as important as the fly pattern and size. Thus it is a priority for fly anglers to master a drag free drift with their dry-fly before being concerned about what fly patterns and sizes to use. Unlike all other types of fly patterns (such a wets, nymphs, streamers, terrestrials), constant line, leader mending and fly drag free presentation are crucial.

The overall contents of any angler’s dry-fly box will ultimately depend on what it is fishing for, where it is fishing and the size of his bank account! There are thousands of great patterns (in many different sizes) to choose from. If a fly angler does not tie his own flies, they generally range from $1.50 - $3.50 each.

Most seasoned fly anglers will admit that you can do pretty well about 90 percent of the time with a selection of only six or seven basic patterns in about two to three different sizes.

Whatever your selection, you will need at least three of each. You will eventually want to broaden your selection of course. But at the beginning it is probably more important to have a selection of sizes in the basic patterns. The most common size in the northeast is probably a #16, representing a mid point between the smaller and larger ones.

Sizes #12, #14 and #16 are good general sizes, while a #18 and #20 in the smaller flies are also useful. A change of size will catch fish about as often as a change of pattern. The most useful size ultimately depends on local conditions.

Information provided by Shawnee River Trips.
!

Nymph Fishing Success (6-30-08)

2008-06-26T15:19:00.000-07:00

FISHING TIP
From PA Certified Fishing Guide
Will Stryeski, fish@shawneeinn.com

Successful “nymph” fly-anglers rely more often on the skill of adjusting leader length to match water depth than actual nymph selection. Getting the fly near the bottom and naturally keeping it there, free drifting or slowly raising it in the fish’s “strike zone”, can be the key. Another key to successful nymph fishing is to watch for any hesitation or slight pull in the line or strike indicator’s drift. There should be a bit of slack line between the nymph and rod tip, but the angler should always have control of the nymph to ensure a positive strike when a fish sips at it. The process of adjusting the indicator, leader length, and weight on the leader and/or nymph takes a little time and patience to get used to, but it does catch fish when other fly-fishing techniques fail.

Nymph Fishing Success

My fly-fishing experiences taught me that when there is no hatch visible and attractor flies are not producing, any time of year (peak season or otherwise), fish may be feeding on nymphs. Even when there is a visible hatch during June, when telltale rings and ripples indicate fish feeding, the best imitation fly may not produce the most strikes.

During June’s off-peak times, when dry flies, wet flies and streamers are not as productive, yet you can pinpoint fish flashing and movement down deep, fish are most likely feeding on nymphs near the bottom of the riverbed. In the hands of a skilled angler, taking it to the “nymph play” can be the “go to” in evoking good takes from quality fish just about any time of the day or during any time of the season.

Biologists have been telling us fly-anglers for eons that; of a river fish’s food, only a small proportion comes from the surface and the surface proportion gets even smaller as a fish gets larger. This data translates to river fish like trout feeding more often near the bottom. Most fly anglers like myself always prefer to fish on or near the surface with wet or dry flies. But sometimes making the nymphing switchover can really improve your end game odds of fooling large wary fish on the fly more often.

One of the most effective ways to fish a nymph is by deep drifting. Cast up-stream and play out the line so the nymph will sink deep. It is important to let the nymph float free and to watch the line or strike indicator very carefully for takes. It is also important to cast higher above the fish than usual in order to give time for the nymph to sink.

It can also be productive to fish nymphs using a cross-stream cast, letting the nymph float naturally across and downstream below you. Retrieve at least a few feet before you pick up the line from the water. In slow, still water, a short jerky retrieve worked across stream can also produce strikes.

When the fish are bulging but not completely breaking the surface, try casting a nymph upstream with a high quality floating line, so that the nymph floats just under the surface. Cast above the fish and free float the nymph. Keep an eye on the line or strike indicator. If there is any pause, stop, or movement forward, a fish has picked it up.

This season, we welcome the opportunity for local anglers to send us any questions or big fish stories to present to the readers of this column. When sending your stories, please enclose your contact information and photography when possible. Please send any questions or stories to fish@shawneeinn.com. We look forward to hearing from you!

Information provided by Shawnee River Trips.

Easily Understood (6-15-08)

2008-06-26T15:15:00.000-07:00

Tip of the Week
From PA Certified Fishing Guide
Will Stryeski, fish@shawneeinn.com

One of the best times to night fish (to fish after dark) is during a summer heat wave like the one we have been recently experiencing. Many of the larger fish in any body of water will become more nocturnal than usual for reasons that are directly and indirectly related to the heat. Anglers can employ many of the same general fishing techniques that are used by day, such as trolling, drift casting, anchored casting, drift baiting and anchored baiting. They all have their time and place and can make for a rewarding night fishing trip.

Easily Understood

Anglers who do not spend much time around big rivers may think of them as easily understood and predictable systems that are
large, often massive, volumes of mostly uninhabited water. While some
novice anglers may be attracted to the concept that things are simple, easy and straightforward, dedicated anglers understand that all ecosystems tend toward complexity and that complexity is sometimes difficult to identify and understand.

Big, still, wild rivers like the Big D (from their origins in headwater to their discharge into the sea) boasts a multitude of habitat types ranging from shallow shaded rapids to deep, sunlit, and slow moving waters. It is this diversity of habitat that help keep the river’s biology and ecology interesting from at least one angler’s point of view. The complexity comes from the fact that all these habitats and the aquatic life in them are interdependent.

Consider river systems that were “engineered” and “improved” by human intervention, often in the name of flood control. The engineered stretches of these river systems are, for the most part, biologically and ecologically impoverished. They were “channeled” meaning straightened and often deepened. The intent is to get as much water moving out of the area as quickly and efficiently as possible, thereby avoiding flooding of adjacent riparian land. From the ecosystem perspective, the engineered river system (unlike the still wild and untamed Upper Delaware River System) has all of its complexity removed. What was once a structure filled, bubbly, gurgling and meandering river becomes nothing more than a straight line of monotonously flowing water. An engineered river has indeed become a simplified ecosystem.

There has been a plethora of writings over the past several decades about bio-diversity and its importance in maintaining ecosystem health. When it comes to great trout and bass rivers like the Upper Delaware River, ecosystem health is especially important. It is crucial to maintain physical and hydraulic diversity. The greater the number of twists and turns in the river system, the greater the hydraulic diversity and with differing flow velocities and flow patterns come biological diversity. Each twist and turn in the river serves to slow down or speed up flow velocity of the water. The velocity of the water determines the shape, texture and consistency of the riverbed. The river bottom’s condition determines what types of organisms and how many can live there. All of that of course ultimately determines how much food there will be for predatory species such as trout and bass. So the greater the diversity of habitat types like what we still see in our wild and scenic Delaware River corridor, the greater the diversity of organisms that can live together in any particular ecosystem as a whole; aquatic and/or not. In general terms, higher diversity often means more stable ecosystems. One that can better withstands perturbations such as storms, drought and floods. But if nothing else, greater diversity provides a more elaborate and expansive source of food items for residents of the ecosystem, such as trout and bass.

As dedicated anglers, we seek and rely upon complexity in ecosystems to improve our fishing, though we may not do it in a totally cognitive way.

This season, we welcome the opportunity for local anglers to send us any questions or big fish stories to present to the readers of this column. When sending your stories, please enclose your contact information and photography when possible. Please send any questions or stories to fish@shawneeinn.com. We look forward to hearing from you!

Information provided by Shawnee River Trips.

Softly Treading the Art of the Lure (5-30-08)

2008-06-26T15:14:00.000-07:00

Tip of the Week
From PA Certified Fishing Guide
Will Stryeski, fish@shawneeinn.com

On cloudy days, I generally use solid and darker (one or two tone) color schemes with my artificial lures. Dense colors are generally seen well by actively feeding fish under cloudy and stained water conditions, while translucent multi-colors that possess light reflecting qualities are generally better seen by fish in heavy sunlight and clear water.

Most fish species can see florescent reds and chartreuse green better in lower light frequencies. Water clarity, frequency of light, and color background (from bottom or vegetation) affects how well a fish sees your offering. These are just a few general rules that need to be modified while taking into consideration the forage foods available in specific bodies of water at specific times.

Softly Treading the Art of the Lure

Over-fished anglers like me do not have quick and easy answers to any seemingly simple fishing questions anymore. For example, if an angler simply asked me what is the best lure or lure color I could not give a short-winded reply. I wish I could just give him or her a quick and answer, but I just cannot do so.

A result of my terminal anglerism is that I spat-off some long-winded over analyzed fishing viewpoints and try ever so delicately not to take away any of the credit from the angler or do an injustice to the “actual art of angling” by definition.

My answer to such pondering fishing questions usually starts with something like, “ultimately, the person behind the wheel is what drives the car and not the car itself”, or “consistent fish catching has more to do with the time spent behind the fishing stick!” As for beginners, having some initial good instruction or field support to cover the more important priorities well before the cast of any new age lure or actual lure color could make the difference.

All the artificial lures and lure colors on the market today will work if you know the what’s, how’s and when’s – which will only come with spending time fishing. This does not mean that a specific lure and color cannot have its perfect time and place where it may completely out fish everything else.

I am just saying that I believe the mastery of lure presentation in any kind of water condition and season is far more important once you are in the right place at the right time.

Today, there are an almost unlimited supply of lure manufacturers, lure designs and company color schemes from laser-finished swim-baits to light–prism impregnated rubber baits. We see realism on steroids with the artificial baits of today’s sport fishing world. These lures look better than the real thing especially to anglers like me who fish with them.

This can truly be fun stuff for anglers who are very tuned in. But when fish are "on the bite", most of the traditional lures and colors, presented correctly, will be just as successful. Each angler can choose just how far to read into things as to how much specific lures and lure color can make a difference for consistent fish catching success. But I will say this; I think it ultimately comes down to angler confidence that is earned only by experience. Fishing with what you believe will make you more successful and believing in your abilities always makes the biggest difference!

This season, we welcome the opportunity for local anglers to send us any questions or big fish stories to present to the readers of this column. When sending your stories, please enclose your contact information and photography when possible. Please send any questions or stories to fish@shawneeinn.com. We look forward to hearing from you!

Information provided by Shawnee River Trips.

Best Fish to Fly (5-14-08)

2008-06-26T14:57:00.000-07:00

Tip of the Week
From PA Certified Fishing Guide
Will Stryeski, fish@shawneeinn.com

The traditional approach to fly-fishing requires an angler to master the art of “matching the hatch”. Successful fly anglers focus on the specific imitator flies that represent one of the specific stages in the life cycle of an aquatic insect. Even more specifically focusing on what aquatic insect group is currently merging, hatching and or swarming that fish are actively feeding on in the specific body of water at that particular time.

When this traditional approach does not get results, some of my best “go to” artificial flies, that will usually catch fish, actually bear no close resemblance to any known insect or insect phase.

An artificial fly of this variety, resembling no particular insect or perhaps maybe resembling all at the same time, is classified as an “attractor fly” as opposed to an “imitator fly”. Attractor patterns that do not mimic any specific insect but spread across several categories, (or don’t quite fit into any category) are among my best fish catching flies that I have ever used. Imitator patterns like the Zug Bug, Wooly Worm, Wooly Bugger, Muddler Minnow, Skating Spider, Spuddler and Royal Coachman are just some of the most successful patterns that you can ever use.

Best Fish to Fly

Fresh water game fish like Bass, Walleye and trout are predatory by nature. They spend most of their feeding time following, chasing and or ambushing other fish, baitfish, eels, crustaceans, amphibians and larger aquatic insects. These predatory game fish are also opportunist that will take advantage of any abundant or temporary food source that is present to fill their feeding needs.

A good general rule is that large fish have a greater tendency of choosing a feeding routine that helps conserve energy, while fulfilling their feeding requirements and taking advantage of large and easy food sources. All of this translates to large fish rarely pass up an opportunity for a big easy meal.

This does not mean that all big fish are caught with big baits, lures and flies. Trout have the greatest tendency of all fresh water game fish to break this general rule. Sometimes even the largest trout will focus their feeding on a very specific insect group in different stages of life (nymph, dun and spinner).

Trout can become very selective in preferring and keying specifically on a particular small insect (in its infant, juvenile or adult stages) that are present on the water at that particular time. Many of these major insect groups can be small in size compared to other larger food foraged that may also be available at the same time. Wary trout of all sizes are willing to expend greater amounts of energy in pursuit of very specific (and sometimes very tiny) insects that are present in one or more of its three stages. Trout will key on these insects more exclusively at times and more often than most other game fish. These traits make trout generally the most popular species of fresh water game fish for fly-anglers to pursue.

This season, we welcome the opportunity for local anglers to send us any questions or big fish stories to present to the readers of this column. When sending your stories, please enclose your contact information and photography when possible. Please send any questions or stories to fish@shawneeinn.com. We look forward to hearing from you!

Information provided by Shawnee River Trips.

Stay Safe on the Water (4-30-08)

2008-06-26T14:53:00.000-07:00

Tip of the Week
From PA Certified Fishing Guide
Will Stryeski, fish@shawneeinn.com

Most species of fish become more aggressive as the water warms up and the fish’s metabolic rate increases. Its tempo changes for several reasons. Their increases as their metabolic rate rises, and they are in pre-spawning mode, which makes them very territorial and more easily agitated. In the spring months, some migratory Delaware River fish like Shad and Striped Bass hit for one or both of these reasons. The same thing goes for residential river fish such as small mouth bass, trout, and channel catfish. This is one of the many reasons why fishing during the spring can be an exciting time to fish on the river.

Stay Safe on the Water

In the spirit of embarking upon a new fishing season, it is necessary to go over some old, but very important, water safety rules. Following a few precautions can be the difference between surviving a scare and submitting to a devastating accident.

No one should ever underestimate the power of the river (or any body of water for that matter). The fury Mother Nature can unleash at the drop of a hat, onto even the most experienced individual, can render him or her powerless.

Having a healthy respect and understanding of all that could possibly happen on the water and possessing some kind of general plan of action in advance is a good start. Though the water is warming up, any combination of cold water temperatures, river currents, high winds, strainers, deep-water, slippery or gagged rocks, and muddy or steep embankments can be a deadly cocktail for the ill equipped. Too often, individuals underestimate river currents, depth and other hazards (like water hydraulics caused by low-head dams) while overestimating their own abilities to deal with them. Even when wade fishing, it is easy to step into a hole, slip, fall and get caught in powerful currents all while fighting a big fish.

A simple safeguard people can take to avoid many water hazards is to always wear a life jacket on the river, regardless if boating, wading, or swimming. Wearing a personal floatation device is one of the most important things anyone can do to greatly increase their odds of surviving unforeseen problems out on or in the river. Even the best swimmers can get a leg cramp, hit their head rendering them unconscious, get a foot logged or entangled in debris like submerged timber or rocks, or fall pray to hypothermia.

It is equally important that any personal floatation device (PFD) meets the specific needs of the user, fits properly, is in good condition, and is rated for one’s specific weight class. Many manufacturers make manageable PFD’s that will not inhibit paddling, fishing, or swimming abilities. There is no excuse for anyone who plans on spending time in the water not to wear one! Life jackets are worth every penny of investment for you and your family.

There are many type five PFD’s that are made specifically for fisherman. They are clearly the lightest, most non-cumbersome and the most popular for boat and wade anglers. The Automatically inflating type five is the ultimate way to go for fly-cast, spin cast, wade, boat and paddling anglers. There are five general types of PFD’s that meet the needs of very different and specific user groups. Type five is classified as a special use life jacket. They may be appropriated and recommended for certain uses by paddlers, boaters, and anglers.

If you find yourself in a mess on the river, stay calm, do not panic and expect to go swimming. Know the current water temperatures so you are more prepared to handle the initial shock. If your boat capsizes, make sure to stay upstream of it at all times so it does not hit you. Stay on your back facing downstream and prepare for what is ahead of you. Keep your knees bent and feet downstream to fend off rocks or any other obstructions. Do not try to stand up in rapids or to get back into or on a capsized boat. Cold water can compound your situation and require you to get to land very quickly before hypothermia takes over. Always think safety first.

Information provided by Shawnee River Trips.

The Start of a Beautiful Season (4-16-08)

2008-06-26T14:33:00.000-07:00

Tip of the Week
From PA Certified Fishing Guide
Will Stryeski, fish@shawneeinn.com

There is no “silver bullet” as to when you can hook the biggest or most fish. Although some general rules apply for every season, loosely put, low light periods (dawn, dusk cloudy conditions) and the extreme temperature periods (warmest and coldest weather and water times of day) can be very promising times to fish. Always take into consideration what type of fishing you plan on doing (fly, live bait, artificial lures etc.), the type of fish you prefer to target, where you want to fish, and the “ever changing” weather/water conditions. Or simply take advantage of whatever time you have to fish and just go for it! When anglers pit their skills, experience, and toughness against all of the elements that Mother Nature can throw at you, true anglers always gain something - even if they do not catch any fish at all!

On the Delaware River, you can catch a record-breaking fish at any given moment. The most important criteria is not just about fishing at the best times, but rather, fishing every minute you have time to, while believing in your fishing capabilities. Success is only partially defined by catching whoppers. The ultimate rewards come by embracing the process, experience, evolution and growth. Adding to one’s warehouse of experience is the greatest key for catching fish more consistently. This does not come without an opportunity cost. Some of the best things learned have come from understanding thru failure. Mother nature will always be able to put you down but not out of the game as long as you give it your best efforts and are open to learning.

The Start of a Beautiful Season

It is time to welcome a new season. Though the forecast was grim, opening day for trout season was as picturesque of a day as one could ask for in mid-April. The weather was also very inviting for those who are just embarking upon their first fishing season.

Anglers on the “main stem” of the Delaware River were catching channel fish, walleye, small-mouth bass, fallfish, and trout. Though the quantity of fish caught were low, their size certainly made up for that. Some very large fish of each of these species are ready and willing to be caught in the Delaware right now.

In our Pocono creeks and streams anglers were catching some of the stocked rainbow, brown, and brook trout with an occasional palomino mixed in. There were also some big holdover Browns and Rainbows swimming around out there, from this past year’s stockings.

Other lake and pond fish beginning to bite this past weekend were crappie, perch, sunfish, pickerel, small-mouth bass, largemouth bass, rock bass, bullhead, and channel catfish.

Over the weekend, the most popular baits used on the Delaware were drifting live sucker chubs, shiners, lamprey eels, night crawlers, jig-heads tipped with live bait or artificial worms, eels, minnows, grub tails and suspending stick baits, crank-baits, rattletraps, spinners and spoons.

According to Shawnee’s Head Fishing Guide, Will Stryeski, “Most styles of lures on the market have their time and place in early season fishing. Generally, the slowest repertoire of presentations with each lure type will work the best when the early season water is cold and clear.”

We recently witnessed the start of a very promising fishing season in the Poconos. With moderate conditions like these and knowing that fishing guides and anglers are on the waters at every possible opportunity, the possibilities of this sport are limitless.

This season, we welcome the opportunity for local anglers to send us any questions or big fish stories to present to the readers of this column. When sending your stories, please enclose your contact information and photography when possible. We look forward to hearing from you!

Information provided by Shawnee River Trips.